After their marriage, Johnny and Katie accept a job in which they
have to take care of a public school. They love the job and spend
their nights at the school working and playing games. Katie is the
responsible one, always making certain that everything is done
correctly; then Katie discovers that she is pregnant. During her
labor, Johnny feels so helpless and upset that he drinks the whole
night through. While he is drinking, the water pipes in the school
burst and flood the basement. Johnny is fired from his job because
of his negligence towards his responsibilities.

After a long and painful delivery, Katie finally gives birth to a
daughter. She is upset that her husband is not with her. When
Johnny finally shows up in the morning, she is unable to stay angry
at him for long, for she is too excited about her daughter, whom
they name Francie. Johnny does not tell his wife that he has been
fired from his job.

Katie's mother comes to see her daughter and new granddaughter.
During her visit, she shares her philosophies with Katie. Mary
makes Katie promise that her children will be taught to read and
write. Additionally, she encourages Katie to develop her children's
imaginations. Finally, she tells her daughter the importance of
owning land. In order to save money to buy property, she suggests
that Katie install a tin bank on the wall; then she tells her that she
must put some money in the bank everyday, without fail. Katie
never forgets these lessons.

Sissy comes to stay and look after the baby. She promises to buy a
Bible and book of Shakespeare's works as a Christening present for
Francie. In reality, she takes the Shakespearean book from a library
and the Bible from an old run down hotel, where she was spending
the night with her current lover.

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Notes

The beginning of Katie and Johnny's married life is idyllic in its
simplicity. They find happiness and contentment in each other's
company and in their work at the school. Katie's unexpected
pregnancy is, however, upsetting to Johnny, for he has become
fully dependent on his responsible wife. When she goes into labor,
he feels totally helpless and drowns himself in drink. During the
night, the pipes at the school burst and flood the basement. Johnny
is fired for being negligent; he is so ashamed that he cannot at first
tell Katie about it. There will be many more times he shows a lack
of responsibility during his marriage.

Although Katie is three years younger than Johnny, she is much
stronger and more mature. She is the one who handles the
responsibility, while Johnny fumbles through every task, looking
to his wife for support. Fortunately, Katie has the strong backing of
her family. When Francie is born, her mother and sister come to
help. Even though she is simple and uneducated, Mary gives her
daughter good advice about raising her children; she also insists
that Katie save some money everyday in order to eventually buy
some land. Sissy is responsible for starting Francie's library, giving
her a Bible and a book of Shakespearean works. It is obvious that
Sissy deeply loves children; she pours out her love on Katie's baby
daughter even though she is sad over not having any children of
her own.

After Johnny loses his job at the school, he is too weak to
immediately tell his wife what has happened. He also does not
have the inner strength to search for another steady job; instead, he
works part-time as a waiter and a singer.